Osteoblast Markers

An osteoblast (from the Greek words for
"bone" and "germ" or embryonic) is a mononucleate cell that is
responsible for bone formation. Osteoblasts produce osteoid, which is composed mainly of Type I collagen.
Osteoblasts are also responsible for mineralization of the osteoid
matrix. Bone is a dynamic tissue that is constantly being reshaped
by osteoblasts, which build bone, and osteoclasts, which resorb
bone.

The cytoplasm of osteoblasts appears to be
basophilic via normal H&E stain due to presence of large amount of
rough endoplasmic reticulum. A large Golgi apparatus is also present
in the centre. The nucleus is spherical and large. Osteoblasts can
be stained for type 1 collagen or for the production of alkaline
phosphatase.

a novel osteoblastic product which is
expressed by mature osteoblasts and newly formed osteocytes. E11
strongly reacts with osteoblasts, preosteocytes, and osteocytes,
and it recognizes an antigen localized at the cell surface.
PMID: 8833206

This resulted in the identification of nine
novel genes and ESTs that were induced specifically in
osteoblasts, in addition to the well-known markers ALP and
osteocalcin.
PMID: 12469905

irOCbound may be a marker for bone formation,
that serum irOCfree may be a marker for bone resorption, and
that the serum irOCfree/irOCbound ratio may become a marker for
skeletal remodeling.
PMID: 8402326